Little Big Town’s “Sugar Coat” Is Country Music At Its Finest

In preparation for the January release of their ninth studio album, Nightfall, Little Big Town has released a new track, “Sugar Coat,” today. With a theatrical and orchestral feel, the Karen Fairchild-led ballad tells the sad tale of a woman caught in a loveless marriage, while keeping up appearances.

Written by Josh Kerr, Jordyn Shellhart, and Lori McKenna, the song is a masterclass in songwriting, turning a common phrase on its heels and using sugar coat as a noun, rather than a verb. “Sometimes I wish I liked drinkin’/ Sometimes I wish I liked pills / Wish I could sleep with a stranger / Someone like me never will / Sometimes I hardly can stand it,” they sing on the chorus. “I just smile with a lump in my throat / Sometimes I wish I could bear it / Didn’t have to wear this sugar coat.”

On these types of lush, story songs, Little Big Town is truly at its best. With Fairchild as lead, and the others providing their understated, yet perfect harmonies on the chorus, “Sugar Coat” is an example of country music at its finest.

The video, featuring Kate Bosworth as a housewife trapped in a loveless marriage, premiered today as well. “She is often lonely and unfulfilled,” says Bosworth of the character in a press release. “Realizing that she is not getting what she needs from a partner, devastated by the choices that her husband is making. As she slowly discovers what is happening, while it’s a sad moment, it is ultimately a resilient one.”

Little Big Town revealed the tracklist for Nightfall this week, featuring songs co-written by all four members of the group, as well as frequent co-writers, the Love Junkies, made up of Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, and Lori McKenna. Other writers include Sean McConnell, Sara Haze, Tofer Brown, Ashley Gorley, and Fancy Hagood.

Nightfall track listing:

“Next to You” (Hillary Reynolds, Michael Jade, Trevor Jarvis)
“Nightfall” (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Fancy Hagood)
“Forever and a Night” (Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Foy Vance)
“Throw Your Love Away” (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna)
“Over Drinking” (Carey Barlowe, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Steph Jones, Hillary Lindsey)
“Wine, Beer, Whiskey” (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Sean McConnell, Tofer Brown)
“Questions” (Karen Fairchild, Jon Green, Sara Haze)
“The Daughters” (Karen Fairchild, Sean McConnell, Ashley Ray)
“River of Stars” (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk)
“Sugar Coat” (Josh Kerr, Jordyn Shellhart, Lori McKenna)
“Problem Child” (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Sean McConnell, Tofer Brown)
“Bluebird” (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk)
“Trouble With Forever” (Jason Saenz, Marc Beeson, Sara Haze)

To keep up with Little Big Town, follow them on  Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

The foursome will play an album release show at New York’s historic Carnegie Hall on January 16, followed by two nights at the legendary Apollo Theater on January 17 and 18.

“Sugar Coat” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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